Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698928237109.pdf (Sierra Leone)
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO GUMA VALLEY WATER COMPANY INSTALLATIONS AND WATER FACILITIES IN THE WESTERN AREA AND SALWACO’S WATER AND SANITATION FACILITIES IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH-EASTERN PROVINCES FROM 21ST -27TH JUNE, 2014.

PRESENTED BY: ………………………… HON.

SUALIHO MONYABA KOROMA CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES TABLE OF CONTENTS PART ONE: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PAGE 1.

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Introduction………………………………………………...................1 Committee Mandate…………………………………………...............2- 3 Members of the Committee………………………………….
………..3- 4 Justification for the visit……………………………………….............4-5 Expected outcome…………………………………………..................5 Methodology…………………………………………………………..5-6 Limitations……………………………………………………..............6 PART TWO: COMMITTEE SITTINGS AND SITE VISITATION (Key Findings and Recommendations) 8.1 Guma Valley Water Company Facilities in the Western Area……………7 8.2 The Regent/ Babardoree Circular Tank and Congo Dam…………………8-11 8.3 The Kambia Water Supply System………………………………………..12-14 8.4.
Kabala Water Supply Scheme ……………………………………….........15-20 8.5 Water Supply and Sanitation Facilities in Makeni……………………...... 20-25 8.6 Lunsar Water Supply Project………………………………………………25-27 8.7 Pujehun Water Supply Project……………………………………………..27-29 8.8 Water Supply and Sanitation Facilities in Bo……………………………...29-34 8.9 Water Supply and Sanitation Facilities in Kenema………………………...34-40 9.0 Mile 91/Yonibana Water Supply Project…………………………………...40-41 9.1 Conclusion……………………………………………………………...........42-43 ABBREVIATIONS A4 P Agenda for Prosperity BUCG Beijing Urban Construction Group CHICO China Henan International Company EPA Environment Protection Agency GVWC Guma Valley Water Company JICA Japanese International Cooperation Agency LCs MDAs MoWR Local Councils Ministries, Department and Agencies Ministry of Water Resources R O W Right – Of- Ways SALWACO Sierra Leone Water Company TTWSSP Three- Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project 1.
INTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, Hon.
Members, from the 21st – 27th June 2014, Members of the Committee on Water Resources, the Parliamentary supervisory body responsible for overseeing the Ministry of Water Resources, went on an on-the-spot oversight visit to key Water Projects, installations and facilities in the Western Area, Kambia, Mile 91, Lunsar, Makeni, Kabala, Pujehun, Bo and Kenema with a view to obtain firsthand information on some pertinent issues relating to the operations of Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC) and Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) and to report to Parliament.
The key installations Water Projects, installations and facilities visited included the following: i. Guma Valley Water Company Facilities at Guma Dam, Regent /Babadoree Water treatment plant, Congo dam and Charlotte gravity system ii.

Kambia Water Supply System iii.

iv.

Kabala Water Supply Scheme SALWACO‟s Water and Sanitation facilities in Makeni v. Lunsar Water Supply System vi.

Pujehun Water Supply Project vii.

SALWACO‟s Water and Sanitation facilities in Bo City viii.
SALWACO‟s Water and Sanitation facilities in Kenema City ix.

Mile 91/Yonibana Water Treatment Plant 2.
ESTABLISHMENT, FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE Section 93 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No.6 of 1991 vests the following powers in Parliament: 93(1) “At the beginning of each session of Parliament, but in any case not later than twenty-one days thereafter, there shall be appointed from among its members the following Standing Committees, that is to say – a. the Legislative Committee b. the Finance Committee c. the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service; d ………… e. ………….
93 (2) “In addition to the Committee referred to in subsection (1), Parliament shall appoint other Committees which shall perform the functions specified in subsection (3).

93 (3) “It shall be the duty of any such Committee as is referred to in subsection (2) to investigate or inquire into the activities or administration of such Ministries or Departments as may be assigned to it, and such investigation or inquiry may extend to proposals for legislation.
93 (4)…………………………………………………………………… 93 (5)…………………………………………………………………… 93 (6) “For the purposes of effectively performing its functions, each of the Committees shall have all such powers, rights and privileges as are vested in the High Court at a trial in respect of:- (a) Enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath, affirmation or otherwise; (b) Compelling the producing of documents; and (c) the issue of a commission or request to examine witnesses abroad.” Article 7(1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act No.
6 of 1991) under the rubrics of Economic objectives state “The State shall within the context of the ideals and objectives for which provisions are made in this Constitution- 7 (1) (a) harness all the natural resources of the nation to promote national prosperity and an efficient, dynamic and self- reliant economy.” Thus, creation of the Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) reflects the importance that government attaches to the sustainable development of the country‟s water resources as a catalyst to improving the health and well-being of all Sierra Leoneans.
The Committee on Water Resources is one of the Sessional Oversight Committees of Parliament established under Section 93(2) to perform the oversight functions specified in subsection (3) of Section 93 on the 1991 Constitution.

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MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE The Committee is comprised of the following Members:- i. ii.

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v. vi.

Hon.

Sualiho Monyaba Koroma – Chairman Hon.

Abu Jajua – Deputy Chairman Hon.

Dauda D. Fawundu Hon.

Francis Amara Kaisamba Hon.

Alfred B. Katta Hon.


Mimi Yema Mimi Sobba- Stephens vii.

Hon.

Lahai Marrah viii.

Hon.

Bliss Osho- Williams ix.

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Hon.

Rosalina J. Smith Hon.

Amadu Mohamed Kanu Hon.

Frederick Sandy Sourie xii.

Hon.

Ibrahim Kamara xiii.

Hon.

Hassan B.

Sheriff xiv.

Hon.

Mohamed Lamin Mansaray xv.

Hon.

Mabinty Khadija Sillah xvi.

Hon.

P.C.

Alhaji Bai Sherbureh Yek 11 4.


JUSTIFICATION FOR THE VISIT The oversight activities undertaken by the Committee were borne against the following background: 1.
During the Budget hearings on the Recurrent and Development expenditure Estimates, 2013 of MDA‟s by the Parliamentary Finance Committee, a number of issues emerged with regards to devolved functions particularly relation to the provision of water and the maximization of revenue collection on the part of Guma Valley Water Company and (GVWC) and SALWACO.

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To assess the level of performance of contractors in their respective projects 3.
To assess the status of GVWC and SALWACO‟S facilities and on-going projects and the level of achievements / progress made as against the project timeframes 4.

To address bottlenecks that have hindered or are hindering the progress of the two Agencies in service delivery particularly in the area of revenue generation, management and control of facilities and coordination with line Ministries and Agencies; 5.
To assess the level of relationship and coordination between GVWC, SALWACO, Local Government Councils and other line Agencies in the implementation and management of facilities; 6.

Lastly, to ascertain prudent management of donor and public funds, accountability and transparency in the project implementation and to report accordingly to Parliament.

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EXPECTED OUTCOME Mr. Speaker, Hon.

Members, it was envisaged that the exercise would: i.
Strengthen the working relationship between the various Agencies of the Ministry, the local councils and other line Ministries in addressing water and sanitation needs of the people country wide; ii.

Enhance prudent management of Public Funds and the maximization of revenue collection; iii.

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Enhance public confidence in the part in the government; Enhance both SALWACO and GVWC in the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in both the Western and Rural areas in order to reduce socio- economic impact on the lives of the poor; v. Based on the recommended findings the report will be laid for future legislations and policy formulation to further improve both GVWC and SALWACO and the entire water sector in the country.

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METHODOLOGY/PROCEDURE The Committee made site visits to key installations Water Projects, installations and facilities and held lively and participatory public stakeholders meetings with: i. ii.

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v. The management of Guma Valley Water Company (GUMA) The management of Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) The Station Managers of the various Water Supply and Sanitation facilities Representatives of the Ministry of Water Resources The Mayor and management of Cities and Municipal Councils of Bo, Kenema and Makeni.

vi.

The management of the District Councils of Bo, Kenema and Makeni vii.

Paramount Chiefs of Bombali, Koinadugu, Bo and Kenema viii.
School Management Committees The stakeholders meetings were attended by the MDA‟s management teams, project officers, contractors and community representatives and were given live coverage by Community Radio Stations, SLBC radio and television and the print media.

The meetings were immediately followed by conducted tours of each installation under the purview of the Ministry of Water Resources.

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LIMITATIONS The Committee was prevented from visiting the Water Supply facilities in Kailahun town because of the recent „Ebola‟ outbreak in the District.

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KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 8:1 GUMA VALLEY WATER COMPANY FACILITIES IN THE WESTERN AREA At the Guma Water Treatment works, the Committee had a very brief meeting with the management of the Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC) before inspecting the facilities.
The Deputy General Manager in his welcome address thanked the Members on behalf of the Board for the visit which, he said, was part of their responsibilities and constitutional mandate.

He added that the visit would help to address some of the key challenges facing the company - the current water crisis and public encroachment on the facilities of the company.
In his opening address, the Committee Chairman assured the Management team that the purpose of the oversight visit was not to witch-hunt, but to ensure that adequate modalities are put in place for sustainable service delivery, prudent management of public resources and to see what improvements had been made since the last visit of the Committee.
Mr. Mohamed Koroma, the Senior Plant Superintendent, made a slide presentation of the GVWC Scheme; describing the reservoir system and its operative mechanism in the treatment of water and the dam itself.

Members of the Committee were thereafter taken on a conducted tour to the water treatment works.

Responding to questions, the Deputy General Manager said that the dam has a capacity of 5.2 billion gallons and a deficit of 50,000 for which they needed another facility for the growing population.
He informed the Committee that the GVWC was facing a serious problem of land encroachment on their facilities.

Reports, he said, had been made to the appropriate authorities and MDAs but that the Ministry of Lands and Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency have not done anything to address their concerns.

The Guma Valley Dam at its lowest level.


8.2 The Regent/Babardoree Circular Water Tank and Congo Dam Here, the Inspector of Works, Mr. Samura explained about the filtration and treatment process in the plant.

He informed the Committee that the tank was constructed in 1914 from the Sugar loaf and Congo dam sources and that the tank hold about 13.6 million gallons of water to serves Regent, Gloucester, Babardoree, IMMAT and the Hill station Communities.
He explained that the tank supplies about 1.5 million liters per day and operate on both gravity and electrical power system for lower and higher regions.

He led Members to the new pumping station installed by Angelique International that was waiting to be commissioned.
He highlighted the following as challenges facing the operation of the facility:  Massive encroachment on the facility  Problem of water shortage from the sources because of deforestation The Committee noted with grave concerns, the level of encroachment of on facility and recommended that the Ministry of Lands and Environment furnish the Committee with list of all property owners who have encroached on the Guma Valley facility.
The Committee proceeded to the Congo Dam which is one of the sources of the Babardoree circular tank.

The Deputy General Manager informed Members that the aged facility was constructed in 1914 and currently needed rehabilitation.

The Committee however observed that the dam was well located and free from encroachment and urged for its rehabilitation.

The aged Congo Dam: the dam needs adequate security to prevent encroachers and for rehabilitation work.
The Committee ended its Western Area visit at the Charlotte Weir along the Regent/ Grafton road.

The Weir, according to the Deputy General Manager, uses gravitational pull system to supply water from the Orugu stream through pipes to the Allen town Treatment Plant.

During the inspection, the Committee noticed that the hill side valley of the stream was used as a dumping ground for rubbish.

The Charlotte Weir along the Regent/Grafton road.

Observations The Committee observed: i.


That the GVWC maintenance of the aged Guma Dam, the rehabilitation work done and the renovation of the „Water Treatment‟ environment to be impressive; ii.

With grave concerns that the Guma Dam, Regent/Babadoree Water treatment plant, the Congo Dam and the Charlotte Weir were facing challenges of massive land encroachment and cutting of trees in the catchment areas that have resulted in serious water shortage in the main dam; iii.
The failure of the Ministry of Lands and Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency to address the issue of land encroachment on Guma Valley Water Company facilities poses a serious threat to long term sustainable supply of water to the nation‟s capital city of Freetown.

iv.

The use of the hill side of the Charlotte Weir as a rubbish dumping site is a recipe for serious pollution.
Recommendations The Committee recommends that: i. the company should ensure that additional security is provided to guard the Guma facilities; ii.

GVWC should establish network of hydrological stations to collect data for national water resources monitoring and decision making; iii.

There should be continued reform of GVWC to make it commercially viable and responsive to the needs of the growing population; iv.
That GVWC Should strictly follow Environmental Policies in dealing with Chemicals for purification of water; v. The Ministry of Lands and Environmental Protection Agency be summoned to Parliament to explanation their indifference to the many complaints of the Guma Valley Water Company‟s regarding encroachment on their facilities and the threat to water supply to the city.

vi.

That GUMA should do more public sensitization on the use and management of water.
8:3 THE KAMBIA WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM The Committee visited the Kambia Water Supply System on Monday 23rd June, 2014.

In a brief preliminary meeting, the Committee Chairman informed the SALWACO Engineer, Staff and the Management Board present about the oversight provisions as enshrined in Sections 60, 93 and 95 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
The Committee, he said, has the mandate to inquire into the activities of MDAs relating to water and make recommendation to the Parliament that may lead to proposal for legislation.

The Kambia Water Supply Treatment Plant.


The SALWACO Station Engineer, Mr. Yankuba Tarawally, informed the Committee that the facility was in good order but that it was facing so much management problems that SALWACO was contemplating on taking over to provide quality leadership that would work out strategies for its sustainability.
He also revealed that after the commissioning of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) facility in 2013, the Council handed its management to the Kambia District Water Supply Board.

In the first month of taking over, the Kambia District Water Supply Board water rate to the tune of Le 18 million from residents.

The Board could not however continue collecting the water rate because of serious administrative challenges that cropped up.

SALWACO‟s had intervened to no avail.


The Board failed to come up with any report on revenue and financial management until the system finally ceased operation from 20th June, 2014.

The Water Supply System, the Engineer added, was designed to supply about 36 liter per capita per person in 24 hours but that it was not meeting the water demand because the system lack the capacity.

Inspection of the intake.


Observations The Committee observed: i. that the Kambia Water system had effective management capacity to run and sustain it; ii.

noted with grave concern that the system recently ceased operation due to the Board‟s refusal to account to SALWACO on its revenue generation; iii.

The payment of water rate still posed a serious challenge to the Board and SALWACO; iv.

The site was fitly and bushy and the staff were not given incentives.
Recommendations The Committee recommends that: i. the management of water supply, the Kambia District council and SALWACO be summoned to Parliament to furnish the Committee with a status report of the system and the way forward; ii.

the Ministry of Water Resources through SALWACO should form a formidable management structure to oversee the water system; iii.

Collaboration is required between SALWACO, Council and Community Stakeholders to sensitize residents to pay for water services.

8:4.
8:4.

KABALA WATER SUPPLY SCHEME The Committee visited the Kabala Water Supply Scheme in the Koinadugu district on Tuesday 24th June, 2014.

A courtesy call was paid to P.C.

Gbawuroh Mansaray and Hon.

P.C.

Alie Balansama Marrah respectively.

The Committee had a brief stakeholders meeting before embarking on a conducted tour.
During the course of the meeting, the Chairman informed the stake holders about the purpose of the visit was to oversee the activities of the Ministry of Water Resources and SALWACO and to also listen to beneficiary communities and project contractors about progress and challenges for recommendations.

P.C.

Gbawuroh Mansaray 111 of Kabala commending the effort of Government and SALWACO P.C.
Gbawuroh Mansaray iii in his welcome address thanked the Members for coming and commended Government for giving support to the Kabala water project that was being implemented by SALWACO.
He assured the Committee of his subject‟s willingness to pay for water services, considering the financial resources that were directed towards the project as” Water is life.” He appealed to the Committee to prevail on the contractors to fast-track the work and to extend the facility to other parts of the township, particularly the disabled residential areas.
In his contribution, the Acting Project Coordinator of SALWACO, Mr. Cyril Hartwell- Bell, said that SALWACO has been coordinating with stakeholders and informing them about their operations especially in designing boreholes and erection of street pipes etc.
Mr. Lansana Marrah of the Sigodi Marah Martin Company and Consultant of the Kabala project informed Members that the Kabala Water supply scheme was designedto be implemented in two phases: Phase 1 -constituted distribution network, two elevated tanks, a Reservoir of 2,500cm volume of water and pumping station The project was implemented in Kabala town and only waiting for water from the treatment plant at Musaia.
Phase 2 -Construction service for the bulk Water supply intake from the Mongor River to the treatment plant at Musaia and pumped 22 Km to Kabala town through ductile iron pipes.

The project, he said, was implemented by joint Oversees Construction and CHICO Construction Companies which should be completed in 2015.

The Committee was taken on a conducted tour to the Reservoir and Water facilities by the Deputy Coordinator and the Consultant of the project.
Responding to questions, the Project Consultant informed the Committee that the project has a value for money as it meet minimum standard as compared to other areas.

He assured Members that SALWACO has the capacity to manage and sustain the system.

Members at the Reservoir site.

He also disclosed that their operations involved some amount of community participation as labour is recruited from the beneficiary community.
Regular meetings are also held with stakeholders to address issues relating to their operations.

He appealed to the Committee to copy the South African policy in water management by instilling into the communities the need to pay for services.

The Committee was taken on a conducted tour to the water treatment works yard and the intake point at Musaia town, Folosaba Dembelia Chiefdom, 24 Km away from Kabala.
The Committee proceeded to do a sport check on the on- going construction works on the treatment and work and the intake point at the Mongo River.

It was observed that active work at the intake plant would not commence until after the rains because of flooding at the operation.
Paramount Chief Fenda Modu Kamara II, whose Chiefdom hosts the intake point of the water facility also extolled Government and SALWACO for identifying his Chiefdom and appealed for safe drinking water to be provided to those communities through which the main pipes would be laid.

He commended the contractor for their work and appealed for the rehabilitation of their road.

The Chief was accordingly assured by the Head of CHICO, He Yong and the Acting Projector Coordinator.
Members at the intake site on the Mongor River.

CHICO Company on the construction of the treatment works.

Observations The Committee observed that: i. phase 1 of the project was almost completed and waiting water from the in-take point; ii.

delay in the release of donor and counterpart funding especially from the government of Sierra Leone was affecting project implementation; iii.
the Committee was impressed with the on-going Construction work both at the Reservoir in Kabala and at the intake point in Musaia; iv.

the poor road network to Musaia in-take point was a serious challenge to the contractor; v. some communities along the pipelines leading to Kabala were not included in the list for communities to be provided with water supply; vi.

Management of facilities could be done by District Council after construction work.

Recommendations The Committee recommends that: i.


Government should endeavour to make timely payments of counter-part funds for the project implementation; ii.

The contractor should ensure that inclusion of the pipeline communities among those to be provided with water supply to avoid criminal acts of breaking the pipes for water iii.

the Ministry of Water Resources and SALWACO should start preparing the minds of communities to pay for water services.
8:5 WATER AND SANITATION FACILITIES IN MAKENI The Committee continued its visits to SALWACO‟s Water facilities in Makeni on Wednesday 25th June 2014.

During the course of it public meeting at the SLTU Hall, the Committee Chairman told beneficiaries and stakeholders from the District and City Councils, Schools, Police, Military, Civil society etc.
that the Committee the constitutional mandate to inquire into the activities of MDAs relating to water and make recommendations to Parliament that may lead to proposals for legislations.

Hon.

Mabinty Khadija Sillah chairing meeting at the SLTU hall, Makeni town.

According to the Project Coordinator, Dr. Joe Ben Davies, the „Three -Towns ( Kenema, Bo and Makeni) Water Supply and Sanitation Project‟ costs $61.1million.
The amount is a pool of donor funds aims at improving access to adequate, safe and reliable water supply and public sanitation facilities for the aforementioned Cities from current levels of less than 5% to 75% by 2015.

The objective is to be achieved through rebuilding and expansion of existing infrastructure; improve sanitation in public places and to enhance the institutional, operational and management capabilities of SALWACO.
He further informed the Committee that progress in the physical work performance by the contractors to date (BUCG and CHICO) were 41% for Kenema, 40% for Makeni and 39% for Bo.

He added that construction work on the Reservoir and the provision of 145Km of pipe borne water supply is on-going as a long term plan which would cope with the water crisis.

He ended his statement by appealing to all present to improve on the management of their facilities.
In the ensuing deliberation pertinent issues were raised concerning uniform tariffs for water supply services, management and security of the facility, alternative provision for clean drinking water, contractor‟s adherence to the local content policy of Government and corporate social responsibilities among others.
The Chairman further admonished stakeholders to replicate their appreciation for the project by sensitizing their people to willingly pay for water services and not to copy the bad example of Kambia.

The Committee was taken on a conducted tour some water and sanitation facilities in Our Lady of Fatima Primary School, Teikor Community market, Teiko Military Clinic, The Northern Polytechnic VIP toilet, SALWACO Administration Building, water treatment works and the Reservoir.
Members inspecting one of the vip toilets at the Teikor barracks Members inspecting the Makeni Treatment Works by CHICO construction Company.

Observations The Committee observed that: i.

Contract work on one of the VIP Toilets had to be terminated because of poor work performance and given to another contractor; ii.

in one particular School, the VIP toilets were used only by the teachers and not the pupils; iii.

iv.
iv.

That most of the Sanitation facilities had did not have water supply; the management of the facilities had challenges of getting beneficiary‟s pay for services; v. Some workers at the treatment plant had no protective gears Recommendations The Committee recommends that: i. non-performing contractors should be terminated by SALWACO; ii.

School Pupils be given the opportunity to use the sanitation facilities; iii.

iv.
v. the Ministry of Water Resources and SALWACO should engage and sensitize stakeholders and beneficiaries to pay for water and other services to sustain and manage the facilities; CHICO Construction company should provide protection gears for workers; senior Officers of the Police and Military be invited to a meeting to address payment for water services 8:6 LUNSAR WATER SUPPLY PROJECT The Committee, en route to Bo, made a brief stop-over at the Lunsar Water supply facility on Wednesday 25th June 2014 at 2:30 p.m.
The station Engineer of SALWACO, John Augustine Forewa, led the Members through the Water Supply treatment plant and informed the Committee that the station had been on testing for the past one year by two contractors; Sotrad Water Company (for treatment works) and C & S Builders and Construction ( for Reticulation).
In response to question of delayance on the Project to meet its completion date, he said that the station had few mechanical problems to be amended before handing over to the Council management.

The station Manager explaining his constraints to the committee.

Observations The Committee observed that: i. ii.

iii.

iv.
iii.

iv.

the performance of the contractor was not impressive and was rated as 50%; the management of the District Council had been providing fuel to run the system; the environment was filthy by the spillage of oil; the machines were under repairs and the system was still under testing.

Recommendations The Committee recommends that: i. the Port-Loko District Council and SALWACO be summoned to address the management problem of the facility; ii.
The SALWACO should urge the contractors to speed up the maintenance of the system and avoid the long testing periods.

8:7 PUJEHUN WATER SUPPLY PROJECT The Committee went on to the Pujehun water supply project on Thursday 26th June, 2014 to assess the status of the facility.

The parliamentary delegation was received by the SALWACO‟s Site Engineer, Mr. Usman Turay and Mr. Alfred Bomeh, Engineer of PAH International Construction Company, who led the Members on a conducted tour of the facility.
Mr. Usman Turay, informed the Committee that the generator for the plant was still under maintenance by the contractor and that pumping of water had stopped since June 12th 2014.

In responding to questions, the site Engineer revealed that the project was redesigned for completion in one and a half year but that disbursement of project funds by the Ministry of Finance to pay contractors was an up-hill challenge.

A spot check on the plant and intake point was done by the Committee.
The Wanje River is the source for the in-take point to the treatment plant.

At the request of the Committee, the generator was switched on for Members to see and thereafter did spot checks on a few public stand pumps along the streets of Pujehun town.

At one of the public stand pumps, some beneficiaries revealed that they appreciated the water supply and registered their willingness to pay for the services.
Another beneficiary, a retired civil servant, expressed concerns that pipes were not erected in other main streets and some nearby communities.

Members of the Committee inspected one of the street water taps.

At the District Council Hall, the Committee Chairman made a brief statement about the purpose of the oversight visit, which among other things, was to assess the status of the water project and make necessary recommendations to Parliament.
The Council Engineer, Amadu Sheriff, in his welcome address, thanked the Committee for their oversight visit and also commended SALWACO and the Government for giving support to the water project.

Observations The Committee observed that: i. ii.

iii.

iv.
iii.

iv.

the water supply system was not incomplete since the two generators were still under maintenance; late disbursement of funds to pay contractors had largely contributed to the delay in completing the work; the system had been undergoing testing for almost a year; there had not been any sensitization on payments for water services; v. Water stand pipes were not erected most streets in Pujehun and some communities were left out Recommendations The Committee recommends that: i. ii.

iii.

iv.
The Ministry of Finance should make timely release of project funds to ensure the speedy completion of the water projects; Appropriate sensitization on the payment for water services be immediately undertaken by management before the commissioning of the project; testing period for supply of water be reduced; the system should provide sustainable water supply communities the to 8:8 SALWACO’S WATER AND SANITATION FACILITIES IN BO TOWN The Committee started its oversight visit at the Gelehun water treatment works by Beijing Urban Construction Group Company Ltd. (BUCG) At the intake point and treatment water tank, the project Coordinator talked about the importance of the project and how it would impact the socio- economic and health status of the people of Bo and its environs.
He assured Members that the project would be completed in sixteen months.

In response to questions, he said that the slow progress of the project was attributed to changes in the original design of the project coupled by the rehabilitation of the existing plants to provide adequate water for the growing population.

Members at the intake at Gerehun on the Sewa river.
The Committee proceeded to Sami village to inspect the „Balancing Reservoir‟ at the Georma hill and one of the VIP toilets constructed for a Secondary School.

Construction of the ‘Balancing Reservoir at Georma hill, Sami village, near Bo Town Inspecting one of the VIP toilets in Sami village, near Bo Town.
In a meeting at the SALWACO Regional Office, the Committee Chairman told beneficiaries and stakeholders that the Committee had the Constitutional mandate to inquire into the activities of MDAs relating to water and make recommendation to the Parliament that may lead to proposal for legislations.

Meeting with SALWACO and stakeholders in Bo Town.


He admonished stakeholders to appreciate the project by sensitizing their people on the need to pay for services to generate funds for management to provide sustainable water supply.

The Deputy and Ag.
The Deputy and Ag.

Mayor of Bo City in his welcome address, commended the Committee and appreciated the monitoring aspect of Parliament on MDAs‟ activities nationwide particularly their collaboration with SALWACO in implementing the Three- Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project.
Representatives from various Schools Council, contractors, Ministry of Water Resources, Civil Society etc exchanged views that have to do with issues of uniform payment for water services, upholding the local content policy, corporate social responsibilities, management, and security of the facilities etc.etc.
The Project Coordinator of SALWACO in his presentation, said that the Three- Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project costs $ 61.1 million ; a pool of donor funds aims at improving access to adequate, safe and reliable water supply and public sanitation facilities for the three Cities from current levels of less 5% to 75% in 2015; through rebuilding and expansion of existing infrastructures; and improvement of sanitation in public places and to enhanced the institutional, operational and management capabilities of SALWACO.
He added that physical progress on work achieved so far by contractors has reached 41% for Kenema, 40% for Makeni and 39% for Bo respectively.

The project objectives, he said, were to: i.

Improve access to safe drinking water supply services in the three ii.

iii.

Cities from 5% to 75% by 2015; To enhance institutional capacity; Construction of adequate number of institutional (VIP ) Toilets, rehabilitation/ construction of water supply and faecal sludge treatment facilities; iv.
Capacity building for SALWACO and other water sector players ( MOHS, GVWC, Local councils etc); v. vi.

Project management, technical and financial audit strategies; Draft water tariff study Report, –prepare and review to await for approval‟ vii.

Other pending Reports- commercial manual, marketing plans for each city; viii.

Public education activities carried out; ix.
Training of toilet attendants, management committees, and environmental mitigation measures to be undertaken including: -storm drainages, diversion of treatment works; sludge drying beds to be constructed, allowances to relocate economic activities, farmers compensation etc; Challenges: The start of the rainy season caused stoppage in construction works in various sites, Payment for lands for new facilities and Right- Of- Ways, Managing the expectation of members of management committees, financial challenges from government to pay contractors.
He ended his presentation by giving the following breakdown of the sanitation project for the three Cities: Kenema – 63 toilets now completed, Bo city 70 toilets and completed and Makeni, 40 out of 50 completed.

Observations The Committee observed that: i. ii.

the on-going water and sanitation facilities were impressive; SALWACO failed to implement the kiosk system for the people of Bo town; iii.

the waste management work at the Christ the King College School had slowed down; iv.
the VIP toilets, though completed, were faced with water supply challenges.

Recommendations The Committee recommends that: i. SALWACO should introduced water meters as a revenue generation mechanism after the completion of the water project; ii.

Councils should play vital roles in sensitizing communities on water use and payment for water services; iii.

timely provisions of project funds be made to SALWACO for implementing project; iv.
SAWACO should coordinate with management committees to provide water for the toilets.

8:9 WATER AND SANITATION FACILITIES IN KENEMA The Committee visited SALWACO‟s Water and Sanitation facilities in Kenema on Thursday 25thJune, 2014.

The Committee was taken on a conducted tour to the Water treatment plant site at Tilorma Village where the Moa River is used as the source for the intake.
During the inspection tours, the Committee observed that massive construction and rehabilitation of old infrastructure was on- going on the intake site, clear water tank, chemical building site and elevated back wash tank CHICO workers.

Members inspecting the old intake at the Moa River.

Mr. Samuel Bangura, the Director General of SALWACO explaining to Members about construction of the largest single Reservoir at Gbetewema Hill, near Kenema.
The Committee noted with concern the tremendous work that was on- going by the contractor at the site of the reservoir at Gbetewema Hill.

The Reservoir, according the SALWACO‟s Project Coordinator, is the largest of the entire Water Supply and Sanitation Project which is to supply about 1.2 million gallons to Kenema City and its environs per day.

The Director-General Mr. Samuel Bangura, in addressing the workers advised them to put all seriousness on their job.
Mr. Samuel Bangura, the Director General of SALWACO addressing workers at the Gbetewema Reservoir site.

The Committee further visited one of the VIP toilets at the Kenema Secondary School.

It was revealed to the Committee that the management team had a difficult problem of raising funds to supply water for the facility.

In a public meeting of stakeholders held at the Kenema District Council Hall, Hon.
Abu Jajua, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, stated the purpose of the Committee‟s visit which among other things, was to make an on-the-spot check on all SALWACO‟s operational sites to get first hand information from contractors, beneficiaries and stakeholders etc, and to report to Parliament.

Hon.

Abu Jajua addressing Stakeholders at the Kenema District Council Hall.
In his welcome addressed, the Deputy Mayor appreciated the monitoring aspect of the operations of SALWACO which, he said, was very impressive since SALWACO‟s operations were geared towards achieving the Government agenda to provide adequate safe drinking water and sanitation for rural communities.

He further assured all that his district would continue to be top in project implementation.
The project coordinator, Dr. Joe Ben Davies, in his response, said that the district has almost completed its construction of water sanitation facilities.

He added that the current water supply project would provide about 1.5million gallons to the city and its environs.

He ended his remark by encouraging stakeholders to contribute in the monitoring of the transmission pipes, distribution and maintenance and the safety of the pipes.
Representatives from various schools, Council, Ministry of Education, Drivers Union, Red Cross, and Civil Society etc exchanged pertinent views relating to security of the intake point, alternative provision of water to run the toilets, management of the facilities etc.

Committee on site visit to the Kenema Secondary School (VIP- Toilet).
Observations The Committee observed that: i. though the on-going constructions of the reservoir was very impressive, the contractors needs to fast-track the work to meet their targeted date; ii.

SALWACO effective monitoring of contractors at various sites; iii.

Kenema District was remarkably ahead of Bo and Makeni in the implementation of the Three- Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project; iv.

most of the VIP toilets lacks water supply Recommendations The Committee recommends that: i. ii.
additional safety /protective gears be provided for workers; SALWACO and Management Committees should ensure that water is provided in the toilets; iii.

both SALWACO and stakeholders should prepare the minds of beneficiaries for the payment for water services.

9:0 THE MILE 91/YONIBA WATER SUPPLY PROJECT The Committee ended its oversight visits at the Mile 91 Yonibana water supply system on Friday 27th June, 2014.
The Committee inspected the wells and treatment plant to assess its viability and challenges in the provision of water for the community.

The station manager, James Bio, who led Members to one of the gravity wells, explained that during the months of March and April, there was very little water supply because of climate change that has resulted in drastic reduction of underground water from the two wells.
The Committee was informed about the discovery of a nearby alternative source to complement the wells.

Exploration is however on-going as a medium term plan.

The Committee Chairman admonished beneficiaries and SALWACO workers to appreciate the project by sensitizing the local communities to pay payment for water services for the sustainability of the project.

Observations The Committee observed that: i. ii.


the wells are almost dried up during the months of March and April because of climate change; the situation of the wells during the dries was precipitated by the mass cutting down of trees and the treeless vegetation; iii.

a new source was discovered to complement the wells.

Recommendations The Committee recommends that: i. ii.

iii.
the Ministry of water resources and SALWACO should ensure a speed-up in the work process particularly to rehabilitate and construct another gravity system for the growing population; trees are planted in the areas around the wells to accelerate ground water flow; the contractor and stakeholders should prepare the minds of the communities to pay for water services for sustainability of the project Mile 91/Yonibana water facility: the Station Manager explaining the challenges of water reduction in Wells during the dries.
9.0 CONCLUSION Mr. Speaker, Hon.

Members, the recommendations contained in this report were arrived at by consensus, after exhaustive and constructive deliberations.

Cognizant of the enthusiasm of the two agencies (SALWACO and GVWC) of the Ministry to implement the recommendations, the Committee is strongly advising that all recommendations should be addressed before the next visit of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker, Hon.
Mr. Speaker, Hon.

Members, safe, reliable, affordable and accessible drinking water and sanitation are essential for good health and development.

The Ministry‟s priority is to increase access to portable drinking water for the people of Sierra Leone from 5% of the population (2010) to the 75% at the end of 2015.

Sierra Leone‟s water sector agenda is captured in the Agenda for Prosperity (A4P) by the Ministry of Water Resources.
The Ministry is determined to provide the needed infrastructure and to complement it with effective legal, regulatory and management framework that would ensure a sustainable and reliable service delivery.

This follow-up visit by the Committee and the interactive sessions we had were most successful.
Emphasis was placed on beneficiaries, the media, civil society, contractors, community stakeholders, Councils and the public at large to make their voices heard by participating in joint meeting with Agencies to address their Water and Sanitation needs of the various communities visited.
Headed by a very dynamic Director General and the Minister of Water Resources, the performance of SALWACO was very impressive since most of the sanitation facilities were completed and water treatment plants were also under construction.

The Guma Valley Water Company must be commended for providing safe drinking water and maintaining and sustaining the aged Guma Valley Dam.
The Committee expressed the felt need to replicate similar oversight visits to the Water and sanitation facilities in other regions of the country.

The Committee therefore called on Parliament, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment, Environment Protection Agency, the Ministry of Water Resources, and donor partners to help in addressing both environmental and financial challenges highlighted in the Report.
It is also necessary and important to provide sponsorship for the Committee to make a follow-up visits.

I thank you all for listening.

……………………….. Hon.

Sualiho Monyamba Koroma CHAIRMAN